Christian Unity update; Connor talks; Rural Dwellers Gather to Highlight Issues; Supporting Bereaved Children and Young People; Vacancies; Media review
Christian Unity update
Every two years or so the secretaries of the Christian unity committees of the Anglican provinces of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales meet to exchange notes. This year’s event took place in Edinburgh in January under the auspices of the Scottish Episcopal Church (it is hoped that Dublin will be the venue next time), and was attended Dr Kenneth Milne, Honorary Secretary of the Church of Ireland Commission for Christian Unity.
The other three Churches are particularly interested in the progress that the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland are making in the context of their covenant relationship, and are also following with interest contacts that we have made with the Moravian Church in Ireland. There was an assessment of the current status of the Anglican Covenant. From the Irish perspective, the recent comprehensive review of its ministry and structures carried out by the Church in Wales suggests the possibility that a similar exercise could be of value in Ireland. Recent developments in training for the ministry of the Church of Ireland are also looked at with interest by the other provinces.
What is clear is that all four Anglican provinces in these islands face a multiplicity of questions, not least those created by an ever–increasing ethnic diversity, to be addressed with diminishing resources. Such issues are made even more complex by mounting debate on the implications for the Churches and their members of possible Scottish withdrawal from the United Kingdom and of the prospect of the possible withdrawal of the UK itself from the EU. Such historic developments would have major implications for Ireland, north and south. Likewise, our neighbouring Anglican provinces are aware of the unique position of the Church of Ireland, ministering as we do in two political jurisdictions, and of the significance for us of the decade of commemorations which is being marked in both parts of Ireland. – Irish Times notes
Connor talks
The Bishop of Connor’s Lent talks, which will focus on the Ministry of Healing, will begin in Bushmills tomorrow evening,Tuesday, and continue at venues throughout the diocese until 19 March. In each of the three archdeaconries there will be a one–evening seminar followed up with a service of prayer for healing with the laying–on of hands. Details may be at rpatterson@dioff-belfast.org
Rural Dwellers Gather to Highlight Issues.
Issues facing people living in rural communities were highlighted at the first of two public meetings organised by the Dublin and Glendalough Social Action Committee.
The meeting took place in East Glendalough School in Wicklow town last night (February 8) and was addressed by former IFA president and MEP, Alan Gillis, from Grange Con and facilitated by Ruth Handy, a former senior specialist with the Irish Management Institute, from Greystones.
Introducing the meeting, committee chairman, the Revd Isaac Delamere, said they were hoping to reach out to rural communities, hear what the issues on the ground are and decide how they can be addressed. He said that people were often baffled by the term social action. But he pointed out that social action could involve mother and toddler groups, visitor groups or men’s sheds. “In the simplest terms – it is following the example of Jesus,” he stated.
Mr Gillis highlighted some of the issues facing rural people after which Ruth Handy asked people to divide into groups with the aim of identifying the problems they saw people struggling with in their own communities.
The groups came up with a wide range of issues which included:
· Worry about security in the home.
· Isolation among people of all ages.
· The lack of transport.
· Difficulties finding secure and reliable tradespeople.
· School transport which in rural areas is affected by fluctuating numbers.
· Lack of support for people who have been bereaved or separated.
· Lack of places to meet which could be shared by the whole community.
· Lack of combined operations to avoid duplication of services.
· Poor communication to let people know about activities or supports.
· Men are more prone to isolation than women.
· The lack of facilities for children in their late teens.
· The high rate of suicide, and the affect suicide has on a community.
· The closure of Post Offices, Garda Stations and local shops.
· The lack of support for families who are undergoing huge changes.
· The lack of broadband and poor mobile phone coverage.
The groups were then asked to come up with ways of tackling the issues raised in three categories.
Suggestions for actions to tackle issues surrounding isolation and the elderly included:
· Pool information with other organisations.
· Start with small initiatives such as organising a good neighbour week.
· Identify the needs of the community.
· Identify a meeting place of some sort to enable people to get together.
· Organise a lunch club to provide meals and interaction for the elderly.
· Compile a community trades directory with a list of trusted tradespeople.
· Start a befriending and visiting scheme on a one to one basis.
· Arrange monthly tea/coffee and organise to collect senior members of the community to bring them to it.
· Start a parish volunteer group in which people who needed small jobs such as having a light bulb changed or a piece of carpentry work done could be linked with suitable volunteers.
Suggestions to alleviate issues facing young families and teens included:
· Start an action group for young families for when their children leave primary school to keep them involved with the community.
· Find a new model to deal with the erosion of Sundays so that people could still get together.
· Broaden the horizons of groups to include activities, such as walking groups, picnics and other affordable group activities.
· Use technology to communicate with people either by text or closed groups on the internet.
· Provide reliable, up to date information on what is available in an area.
· Get the whole community involved.
· Mother and Toddler groups are a great support network for young families and a link could be made with the local public health nurse who would know if there are isolated families in the area who could be invited to join.
· Start a babysitting group.
Suggestions for tackling infrastructure difficulties included:
· Car pooling – which could be used in many scenarios.
· Rural transport schemes.
· Providing up to date information on what services are available and getting the information into the community.
· Utilising the Citizen’s Information Bureau
At the end of the meeting, participants were encouraged to think of some actions they could take in their own communities to help people who are struggling. Ms Handy intends to compile the information from the meeting for the Social Action Committee.
The committee has organised a meeting for the West Glendalough area which takes place in The Jonathan Swift National School in Dunlavin on February 28 at 8.00 pm.
Supporting Bereaved Children and Young People
Cruse Bereavement Care is running a 1 day course for parents and carers to enable them to help support children and young people.
When: Saturday 9 March, 9.15 am – 4.30 pm
Venue to be confirmed but it will be in Belfast
This workshop will help parents and carers to:
• Understand the impact of grief on the family, particularly on children and young people
• Learn ways of providing appropriate and effective personal support to children who have been bereaved
• Explore a range of “beyond words” resources and activities that can be used to help children and young people express themselves
The cost is £15 for parents and £45 for professionals (lunch is included)
To book contact Maria McEntee on maria.mcentee@cruse.org.uk or telephone 028 90797975 by 20 February.
Vacancies
Incumbent, Parish of Mullavilly (Armagh)
Applications are invited for the Incumbency of the above parish which is currently vacant.
Situated on the outskirts of the village of Laurelvale, the parish has easy access to the nearby towns of Portadown and Armagh and the M1 motorway. Good primary, second and third level educational facilities in the area.
Approximately 350 families/950 souls with a potential for growth from recent housing developments in the area.
3 services each Sunday (H.C., M.P., E.P.). Well–appointed rectory beside the Church and parish hall. All buildings in good repair.
Wide range of parochial and community organisations.
www.mullavilly.armagh.anglican.org
For further details contact the Diocesan Secretary:
Mrs J Leighton,
Church House,
46 Abbey Street,
Armagh,
BT61 7DZ,
Tel: 028 3752 2858,
Email: secretary@armagh.anglican.org.
Closing date for expressions of interest: Friday 01 March 2013.
Incumbent, Parish of Richhill (Armagh)
Applications are invited for the Incumbency of the above parish which is currently vacant.
Situated in the centre of the village of Richhill, the parish has easy access to the nearby towns of Portadown and Armagh and the M1 motorway. Good primary, second and third level educational facilities in the area.
Approximately 300 families. Wide range of parochial organisations.
2 services each Sunday (HC/MP; HC/EP). Parish Hall next to Church. Attractive rectory set in mature grounds on outskirts of village.
For further details contact the Diocesan Secretary:
Mrs J Leighton,
Church House,
46 Abbey Street,
Armagh,
BT61 7DZ,
Tel: 028 3752 2858,
Email: secretary@armagh.anglican.org.
Closing date for expressions of interest: Friday 01 March 2013.
MEDIA REVIEW
Marriage stats
New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the average age of a bride, which has been rising steadily in recent years, now stands at 32. Grooms have an average age of 34.
Meanwhile, the marriage rate is falling and is now at its lowest level since 1998 as many couples opt to live together instead. Nevertheless, 20,594 couples took the plunge in 2010, although this was down from 21,627 a year earlier.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/brides-show-up-late-to-church-as-average-age-rises-29057923.html
Catholic Church pressure on TDs on abortion
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/church-asks-tds-to-block-x-case-laws-29059182.html
Cardinal Burke: No Communion for Irish Politicians who Support Abortion
National Catholic Register – As Ireland’s parliament considers legalizing some abortions, the American cardinal stresses that abortion ‘is among the gravest of manifest sins.’
As the Irish parliament considers legalizing some abortions, Cardinal Raymond Burke says that local Catholic politicians who support the procedure should be refused Holy Communion in hopes of inspiring their conversion.
“There can be no question that the practice of abortion is among the gravest of manifest sins,” Cardinal Burke told the Irish newspaper Catholic Voice in an interview published Feb. 1.
Once “a Catholic politician has been admonished that he should not come forward to receive Holy Communion,” the cardinal added, “as long as he continues to support legislation which fosters abortion or other intrinsic evils, then he should be refused Holy Communion.”
The American cardinal heads the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican’s highest legal tribunal that rules on canon law… MORE at –
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/cardinal-burke-no-communion-for-irish-politicians-who-support-abortion